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Is Public Debate Under Threat?

By Les Scammell, January 31, 2010 11:23 pm

Are we entering an era in which newspapers censor what can and can’t be published on websites and blogs. I know it is drawing a long conclusion from recent events, but that is a possible result from recent events. Newspapers are now resenting people referring to their content and linking to it. This goes to the heart of public debate.

If they make comments, or write a story, that you or I disagree with, we should have every right to write an article with counter opinions. Now, from memory, you cannot argue, or give an alternative opinion, if you don’t in some way refer to the original content. This could include quoting snippets from the original and it would have to include some reference to the original material – normally in the way of link. We do this of course to make it easier for our readers to go and read the original content. They can then form an opinion based on both sides of the argument.

WebProNews reports on the issue and they have their own spin on the issue. Small Business Mavericks takes a different spin and asks – is linking unethical. I think newspapers may be taking this issue beyond common sense. Yes, they do have a right to their content as I have a right to my content. However, when I put it out there in public, I have to cop the criticism or applause. If people want to link back to me – I say yes please.

Some online news services now want to charge a fee for you link back to them. This is like the banks that charge us fees to borrow our money, or paying money for a tax service franchise to save us paying too much in taxation.

What these newspaper don’t realize is that down the track, the newspapers that stay open and who are prepared to welcome comments and inbound links, will be the ones who rise in popularity. They will be the online news services that we go to read. In fact, with luck, those newspapers will go the way of private school teachers - they are being laid off – so too will the newspapers.

Is this a potential threat to our freedom of expression online? What are your thoughts?

What Are Your Search Predictions For 2010?

By Les Scammell, January 31, 2010 10:29 am

Search is a never ending game. Website owners and bloggers do everything possible to achieve high rankings, and search engines do everything possible to ensure that on the best content appears at the top of the search results. Therein lies the problem of course. Website owners and bloggers think their content is worth of reading and should appear at the top of the search results. We are not all right. Mine is probably considered crap by many – others may find it interesting.

Here is a video with Matt Cutts thinking on search in 2010.

As usual he skirts many of the issues. That’s okay – I think we get the general drift. Social will be big, page speed I think will be important and, as usual, content that adds value to the web as a whole. Original content of course. Getting a backhoe out and digging up old content wont do the job – unless it’s completely rewritten and fresh.

If you want a transcription tip, go to the latest news sources and freshen your content based on what’s being written there. At least you will be giving your content the latest information and not tired irrelevant information from the past.

Lightning Saves Man From Dishes

By Les Scammell, January 29, 2010 12:48 pm

I probably shouldn’t poke fun at this poor guy. I mean, how would you be, standing at the sink washing the dishes when a lightning strike takes you out. At least you don’t have to finish the dishes. What are the chances of it happening – a million to one? Yet it did.

Modeling may save some moms from both the dishes and cooking. It seems if you have a Plus Sized Hourglass Body Shape the fashion industry may soon be calling. There is a movement now to get away from the traditional twigs on legs that we call fashion models and move to using models that better reflect society. There is hope for all of us yet.

Where Can a Medical Transcriptionist Go Wrong? You have to trust these people but they are human. A recent case in the UK highlighted why medical transcriptionists need to be soooo accurate when transcribing from an audio tape. It seems a specialist had recommended a specific type of treatment but the transcriber made a tiny but crucial mistake with the medication quantity. He was very happy for several days.

His wife has now found that Yoga: The Great Stress Reliever, is the only way she can calm him down. Cold showers don’t even work. BTW – he is 85 and she is 80 – go man go.

How Much Does Your Refrigerator Consume

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By Les Scammell, January 28, 2010 12:20 pm

They say that older refrigerators consume almost twice the power of modern refrigerators and that they contain gases that are harmful to our environment. I don’t how true this is – but this image is great. It looks like a refrigerator that’s had a great Christmas. Come to think about it for a moment – I am starting to look like that too.

overweight refrigerator